Beef Couscous Stuffed Peppers

These stuffed peppers make a healthy and satisfying all in one dinner for two! 

Ingredients:

2 bell peppers

1/4 cup diced onion

1/2 lb lean ground beef

1/2 cup prepared couscous

1/4 cup diced canned tomatoes

1/2 cup packed baby spinach leaves

1 tsp smoked paprika

salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

First cut the peppers in half, core and seed, then blanch in boiling water for 1 minute. Remove to an oiled baking dish. You may want to cook the peppers completely but I prefer them tender crisp not soggy once stuffed and baked.

Brown the beef and onion in a skillet until nearly done. Next add the couscous, canned tomatoes, paprika, salt, pepper and lemon juice. (I used a spinach and citrus flavoured couscous this time. Check your grocery store shelf for different flavoured couscous or stick with plain old couscous!) Remove from heat and stir in the spinach.

Stuff the peppers with filling then bake in a 400°F oven for 25-30 minutes.

Serve warm. I like mine with a little sour cream.

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Green and Lemony Couscous Salad

I used couscous instead of bulgar wheat in this tabbouleh-like salad.  It's lighter and takes no time at all to cook.

1/4 cup couscous
1/4 cup boiling water

1 cup diced English cucumber, unpeeled of course
1/4 cup chopped spinach leaves
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

2 tbsps lemon juice
2 tbsps olive oil
1/4 tsp lemon zest
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Add boiling water to couscous, let sit 5-10 minutes, then fluff it up. That's easy!
Prepare the vegetables and mix them in with the couscous. There's a lot of green stuff going on here.

Combine the lemon juice, olive oil, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss with the salad, chill and serve.